Translating research into practice: Adoption of endocrine diagnostic testing in cases of equine laminitis.
Abstract: Research demonstrating insulin's causal role in endocrinopathic laminitis has greatly advanced understanding of equine laminitis. However, the degree to which this knowledge has been translated into clinical practice has not been assessed. This two-part study aimed to investigate veterinary surgeons' current diagnostic approach to laminitis, whether this had changed over time, and the impact of diagnosing an endocrinopathy on laminitis case management and outcome. Two cross-sectional online surveys of equine veterinary surgeons working within the UK were undertaken. The first study population comprised 141 veterinary surgeons, who had graduated a median of 8 years previously. Overall, 83.6% of respondents (n = 117/140) had changed their diagnostic approach to laminitis since graduating, primarily through increasing use of endocrine testing (88.7%; n = 86/97). Ninety-nine percent (n = 140/141) performed endocrine diagnostic test(s) for some or all laminitis cases at initial and/or subsequent examinations. The second study had 120 participating veterinary surgeons, ≥76% of whom considered diagnosing underlying endocrine diseases greatly influenced their laminitis case management. Where an endocrinopathy was identified, 75.0% (n = 90/120) considered that client communication regarding laminitis was facilitated, and ≥67% considered that treating the endocrinopathy was effective in reducing laminitis recurrence. This study demonstrates successful translation of research knowledge into equine practice, with the vast majority of veterinary surgeons adopting endocrine diagnostic testing within their routine approach to laminitis cases. Respondents perceived that this change in diagnostic approach has resulted in improvements in several non-clinical and clinical healthcare outcomes, including client communication and reduction in recurrent laminitis episodes.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2021-03-18 PubMed ID: 33941328DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105656Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research examines the adoption of endocrine diagnostic testing in cases of equine laminitis among veterinary surgeons in the UK. The study discovered that most practitioners have altered their diagnostic approach to incorporate endocrine testing, and the adoption of this practice has impacted case management and outcomes.
Research Methodology
- The study comprised two online cross-sectional surveys of equine veterinary surgeons operating within the UK.
- The first survey consisted of 141 veterinary surgeons at various points in their careers, with a median graduation time of eight years.
- The second survey included 120 participating veterinary surgeons, engaging in practices like diagnosing underlying endocrine diseases, client communication, and managing recurrence.
Findings: An Evolving Diagnostic Approach
- From the first study, it was found that 83.6% of the respondents had adjusted their diagnostic approach to equine laminitis since graduating.
- Most changes involved greater use of endocrine testing, with 88.7% of those who had altered their approach adding this method to their practice.
- Almost all the surveyed practitioners (99%) performed endocrine diagnostic tests for some or all cases of equine laminitis during initial and/or subsequent examinations.
Perceived Impact of Endocrine Diagnostic Testing
- From the second survey, it was found that at least 76% of participating veterinary surgeons believed that identifying underlying endocrine diseases significantly influenced their management of laminitis cases.
- When endocrine abnormalities were found, 75% of the respondents reported that it assisted in discussing laminitis with their clients.
- At least 67% believed that treating identified endocrinopathies was effective in reducing the recurrence of laminitis.
Conclusion of the Research
- The research concludes that there has been successful implementation of recent research knowledge into equine practice, with most veterinary surgeons integrating endocrine diagnostic testing into their routine approach to equine laminitis cases.
- This change in diagnostic approach was perceived to have improved several non-clinical and clinical aspects of healthcare, including better communication with clients about laminitis and a reduction in recurrent cases of the condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Ireland JL, McGowan CM.
(2021).
Translating research into practice: Adoption of endocrine diagnostic testing in cases of equine laminitis.
Vet J, 272, 105656.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105656 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Department of Equine Clinical Science, The University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Department of Equine Clinical Science, The University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: cmcgowan@liverpool.ac.uk.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Endocrine System Diseases / diagnosis
- Endocrine System Diseases / veterinary
- Foot Diseases / diagnosis
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Inflammation / diagnosis
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Translational Research, Biomedical
- United Kingdom
- Veterinarians / trends
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Kirkwood NC, Hughes KJ, Stewart AJ. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses.. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 10;9(10).
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